The State of the Nea
Feb. 5th, 2004 12:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
neadods...is fairly contented. The job continues well. I'm learning. I'm still liking the people I work with. (Work came to a halt yesterday while everyone in my group riffed off jokes and I joined right on in and felt equal. I'd describe it, but it involved an undead possum, which is kinda indescribable.)
Have just been taken to an Amish market close to work. This is similar to, but doesn't quite have the same stuff as my beloved Mennonite market, which is a full half hour north of home. Which probably means that I'm going to be going to both on random weeks. Am currently stuffed full of ham salad and devilled eggs and cider. Yum.
Farpoint - well, that's next weekend. No, I'm not remotely happy or contented about it, but most of my work is now done, so I just have to weather the storm. Metaphorically speaking, because I really, REALLY hope it isn't snowed out. Again. At least this year I wouldn't feel bad for being the only concom member to cut and run from a blizzard because I don't feel that I'm part of this concom anymore.
TeamWench is in that very exciting point when it realizes it has grown enough to consider being an official thing, with officers and duties and stuff. This is daunting and thrilling all at once. Huge meeting at my place last weekend when we went though all kinds of procedural stuff and where we want it to go and everything.
Holly House is thawing out. I had to call a repairman on superbowl sunday because my heater started screaming at me, but he oiled the pump and all is well. I still have the thermostat down a little lower than usual because I'm running low on oil, but I'm supposed to get more by tomorrow night. Hope it's there today!
And while I was puttering around my chilly house waiting for the repair guy, I moved one of the trunks into my closet and put bookshelves along the wall, building a little reading nook. Like it. Feels less cluttered and (with all the books now there) more homey.
And I have a bunch of fic to read, time to read it, and after that, time to write the ideas coming to me. Plus, there's a Bitchin' Babe concert this Saturday and in a month, I get to go to NYC and see the Plummer King Lear. This time without involuntarily napping through half of it.
Life is good.
My lemming moment du jour - my rather controversial answers to:
Do I believe:
In God? Nope. Once I was a rather good monotheist, then I was a very dedicated polytheist, and now I'm a rather solid atheist. Once I got over the shock of losing my religion, I'm pretty okay with the idea of knowing it's all just us.
In ghosts? Um... I'd like to. I used to. But now? Not sure.
In aliens? As![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
havocthecat says, statistically, they're out there. We were figuring for a while one of 'em ate the Mars rover...
In Bigfoot? No.
In fairies? What, outside of Dupont Circle? Little flittery things with attitude and wings? No. The Dupont Circle type? Several of my friends, so yes, I believe they exist!
In ESP? I don't know. There are people in tune with something many of us aren't (and none of 'em charge $9.99 a minute, mind you) but I don't know if it's an "extrasensory power" or just very finely tuned subconscious observations.
In superstition? Odd question. Superstitions exist, whether I believe in them or not. Do I believe they're real? No. Do I believe they're based on something real? Sometimes.
In equal rights for gays? The Constitution & Bill of Rights are very clear on this - EVERYBODY in the US should have equal rights.
In equal rights for women? See above.
In psychics? See ESP answer.
In appearance? Wha? How does one "believe" in appearance? It's a part of speech. How does one not believe in nouns?
In auras? Our bodies generate an eletrical charge, it's how the nerves work. So obviously there's something electromagnetic there. As for the more "woo-woo" side of things... well, you can "feel" something in a room where something good or bad (or just lots of history) has happened. I'm not sure what I'd call it, but I feel it.
In true love? I want to. :>
In happy endings? Firmly.
In abortions? I believe that it's a personal choice - and that no one has a right to force me to live my life according to their religion. I certainly believe that they should be available, safe, and legal for those who desire to have them.
In Santa? There is a saint known as Nicholas; beyond that, it's marketing. Sorry, Virginia.
In soulmates? Yes, because I've had that magical instant connection with a lot of people. They don't have to be True Loves or even lovers, but they are on your wavelength. To steal a verse from a filk, "There's no word yet/for old friends who've just met/but you know and I know/kindred souls are we."
In magic? Not since I lost my pagan religion.
In evolution? How strange a question. Scientific proof remains proven whether I "believe" it or not. Evolution has been proven according to all the tests of our science at this time. Like any scientific theory, it can be blown away tomorrow by a new theory that fits the facts better - but as of right now, there is no other legitimate scientic theory that does so.
(Side note - since I come from the state that recently had a biological emergency regarding fish that could walk and breathe, I have no problem whatsoever with the idea of biological change over time and the filling of niches via mutation/natural selection.)
In cloning? Again, this is something that happens whether I "believe" in it or not; the science is solid. Do I believe it's ethical is a different question. And the answer is - cloning what for why? Cloning a new dog to replace a beloved pet is pointless at best; cloning stem cells for use in research is A Good Thing.
In fraggles? Wasn't that a TV show?
In werewolfs? Not outside of F/SF.
In vampires? see above.
In miracles? I want to. I don't, but I want to.
In existing thylacines? What's a thylacine?
In nessie? No. Filk moment again = "but the monster's shy and she shuns the sky and that's why we must confess: we can't find, we can't find, we can't find, we can't find, we can't find the creature in Loch Ness!"
In existing dinosaurs? Yeah. Armadillos, sharks, crocodiles - none of 'em have changed for millennia. And then there's celocanths (sp?)
In interracial marriages? See previous comment on Constitution/Bill of Rights.
In adoptions? Um, once again, they exist whether I believe or not. Do I think it's a good idea (different question)? Yes. I do. I currently know several adoptive parents who are giving those babies a damnsight better life than they would have had with the birth parents.
In saving the rainforests? Yes! They're part of the global system, and we're idiots for assuming that ecological concerns aren't all global.
In saving dying species? As much as possible. If it's a species going all extinct on its own, though, I'm rather for putting what's left of it in a zoo and moving on. If it's flourishing, it should be left to flourish. (Case in point; the restoration of the wolves to Yellowstone has had a trickle-down effect that has literally restored the original ecology right down to the type of trees and where they grow. This is A Good Thing. On the other hand, what would happen if the last snail darters lived in aquariums? Apparently nothing that hasn't already happened.)
In the human race? Once again, not needing my faith in order to exist. Do I believe in it in the warm fuzzy meaning of People Are Good? People are people, the same mix of good, bad, and both that we've been throughout recorded history. Sorry, Roddenberry, we're not "growing up." We're just... us. And all on our own we've managed to commit both horrible atrocities and gracious kindnesses; done irreparable damage and created masterpieces, often in the same place and time. If I have to put a belief about the species as a whole into words, I'll say that it takes only the worst of a few members to bring out the best in others.
On the other hand, I do believe that there are things that some people do that are so vile that they constitute withdrawal from the right to be considered "human." (see my answer to final question.)
In recycling? I believe it's a good idea and should be pushed more.
In blue tigers? I never saw a purple cow... on the other hand, I have seen pictures of a green polar bear, for real. (Alge growing in its hollow guard hairs.) So one never knows.
In tattoos? I really don't understand all these "do you believe" questions about things that are. Tatoos exist. Do I believe in getting one for myself? Not into pain. Got half talked into one once, but was snapped out of it by seeing her fresh one an hour after, when it was still oozing. That cured me quick.
In plastic surgery? Again, a vague question about something that does not need my blessing or faith. What kind of surgery? For what reason? ("I want my face to look better" means something different for an aging model and a burn victim.) In general, or for me?
In love in general? Yes. And I subscribe to Jane Austen's maxim that one should fall in love whenever one has the chance. Yes, some of my choices sucked, but the general idea is nice.
In animal rights? Hrm. Their right to exist? Yes. Right to exist without pain or fear or being labelled vicious when they're defending territory/family/self? Oh yeah. Right to humane treatment at the hands of humanity? YES. (Note, this includes responsible farming and painless, quick slaughtering, yes, I do eat meat and wear leather.) Their right to vote or be considered quasi-human? The day my cats figure out how to open the canned food themselves.
In the death penalty? Yes, but not in the way we implement it now. First of all, there must be absolutely NO chance of making a mistake; not just jury decision, but all the science that can be brought to bear, nothing excluded. Second, the decision to kill should be not tied to a single narrow set of crimes but by this rule of thumb - is society and its members safe from further predation by this person? If the answer is "yes" then punish the crime and let 'em go. If the answer is "no" then whack 'em. I don't care if they're young, old, retarded, or nuts. If they're a danger and always will be, then my tax dollars have got better places to go than to maintaining them or to even make them understand why they're locked up.
An analogy - a rabid dog didn't choose to become rabid. It doesn't mean to bite. It cannot comprehend what has happened to it or the danger that it poses.
In a perfect world, one could quarantine it, medicate it, and turn it back into a beloved pet.
In this world, you shoot the poor thing and the town breathes a sigh of relief. Not because the dog "deserved" it or because it would serve as a warning for other dogs who might go rabid. But because the citizens in the town should be kept safe from that specific dog because of the specific danger it posed to them.
Have just been taken to an Amish market close to work. This is similar to, but doesn't quite have the same stuff as my beloved Mennonite market, which is a full half hour north of home. Which probably means that I'm going to be going to both on random weeks. Am currently stuffed full of ham salad and devilled eggs and cider. Yum.
Farpoint - well, that's next weekend. No, I'm not remotely happy or contented about it, but most of my work is now done, so I just have to weather the storm. Metaphorically speaking, because I really, REALLY hope it isn't snowed out. Again. At least this year I wouldn't feel bad for being the only concom member to cut and run from a blizzard because I don't feel that I'm part of this concom anymore.
TeamWench is in that very exciting point when it realizes it has grown enough to consider being an official thing, with officers and duties and stuff. This is daunting and thrilling all at once. Huge meeting at my place last weekend when we went though all kinds of procedural stuff and where we want it to go and everything.
Holly House is thawing out. I had to call a repairman on superbowl sunday because my heater started screaming at me, but he oiled the pump and all is well. I still have the thermostat down a little lower than usual because I'm running low on oil, but I'm supposed to get more by tomorrow night. Hope it's there today!
And while I was puttering around my chilly house waiting for the repair guy, I moved one of the trunks into my closet and put bookshelves along the wall, building a little reading nook. Like it. Feels less cluttered and (with all the books now there) more homey.
And I have a bunch of fic to read, time to read it, and after that, time to write the ideas coming to me. Plus, there's a Bitchin' Babe concert this Saturday and in a month, I get to go to NYC and see the Plummer King Lear. This time without involuntarily napping through half of it.
Life is good.
My lemming moment du jour - my rather controversial answers to:
Do I believe:
In God? Nope. Once I was a rather good monotheist, then I was a very dedicated polytheist, and now I'm a rather solid atheist. Once I got over the shock of losing my religion, I'm pretty okay with the idea of knowing it's all just us.
In ghosts? Um... I'd like to. I used to. But now? Not sure.
In aliens? As
havocthecat says, statistically, they're out there. We were figuring for a while one of 'em ate the Mars rover...In Bigfoot? No.
In fairies? What, outside of Dupont Circle? Little flittery things with attitude and wings? No. The Dupont Circle type? Several of my friends, so yes, I believe they exist!
In ESP? I don't know. There are people in tune with something many of us aren't (and none of 'em charge $9.99 a minute, mind you) but I don't know if it's an "extrasensory power" or just very finely tuned subconscious observations.
In superstition? Odd question. Superstitions exist, whether I believe in them or not. Do I believe they're real? No. Do I believe they're based on something real? Sometimes.
In equal rights for gays? The Constitution & Bill of Rights are very clear on this - EVERYBODY in the US should have equal rights.
In equal rights for women? See above.
In psychics? See ESP answer.
In appearance? Wha? How does one "believe" in appearance? It's a part of speech. How does one not believe in nouns?
In auras? Our bodies generate an eletrical charge, it's how the nerves work. So obviously there's something electromagnetic there. As for the more "woo-woo" side of things... well, you can "feel" something in a room where something good or bad (or just lots of history) has happened. I'm not sure what I'd call it, but I feel it.
In true love? I want to. :>
In happy endings? Firmly.
In abortions? I believe that it's a personal choice - and that no one has a right to force me to live my life according to their religion. I certainly believe that they should be available, safe, and legal for those who desire to have them.
In Santa? There is a saint known as Nicholas; beyond that, it's marketing. Sorry, Virginia.
In soulmates? Yes, because I've had that magical instant connection with a lot of people. They don't have to be True Loves or even lovers, but they are on your wavelength. To steal a verse from a filk, "There's no word yet/for old friends who've just met/but you know and I know/kindred souls are we."
In magic? Not since I lost my pagan religion.
In evolution? How strange a question. Scientific proof remains proven whether I "believe" it or not. Evolution has been proven according to all the tests of our science at this time. Like any scientific theory, it can be blown away tomorrow by a new theory that fits the facts better - but as of right now, there is no other legitimate scientic theory that does so.
(Side note - since I come from the state that recently had a biological emergency regarding fish that could walk and breathe, I have no problem whatsoever with the idea of biological change over time and the filling of niches via mutation/natural selection.)
In cloning? Again, this is something that happens whether I "believe" in it or not; the science is solid. Do I believe it's ethical is a different question. And the answer is - cloning what for why? Cloning a new dog to replace a beloved pet is pointless at best; cloning stem cells for use in research is A Good Thing.
In fraggles? Wasn't that a TV show?
In werewolfs? Not outside of F/SF.
In vampires? see above.
In miracles? I want to. I don't, but I want to.
In existing thylacines? What's a thylacine?
In nessie? No. Filk moment again = "but the monster's shy and she shuns the sky and that's why we must confess: we can't find, we can't find, we can't find, we can't find, we can't find the creature in Loch Ness!"
In existing dinosaurs? Yeah. Armadillos, sharks, crocodiles - none of 'em have changed for millennia. And then there's celocanths (sp?)
In interracial marriages? See previous comment on Constitution/Bill of Rights.
In adoptions? Um, once again, they exist whether I believe or not. Do I think it's a good idea (different question)? Yes. I do. I currently know several adoptive parents who are giving those babies a damnsight better life than they would have had with the birth parents.
In saving the rainforests? Yes! They're part of the global system, and we're idiots for assuming that ecological concerns aren't all global.
In saving dying species? As much as possible. If it's a species going all extinct on its own, though, I'm rather for putting what's left of it in a zoo and moving on. If it's flourishing, it should be left to flourish. (Case in point; the restoration of the wolves to Yellowstone has had a trickle-down effect that has literally restored the original ecology right down to the type of trees and where they grow. This is A Good Thing. On the other hand, what would happen if the last snail darters lived in aquariums? Apparently nothing that hasn't already happened.)
In the human race? Once again, not needing my faith in order to exist. Do I believe in it in the warm fuzzy meaning of People Are Good? People are people, the same mix of good, bad, and both that we've been throughout recorded history. Sorry, Roddenberry, we're not "growing up." We're just... us. And all on our own we've managed to commit both horrible atrocities and gracious kindnesses; done irreparable damage and created masterpieces, often in the same place and time. If I have to put a belief about the species as a whole into words, I'll say that it takes only the worst of a few members to bring out the best in others.
On the other hand, I do believe that there are things that some people do that are so vile that they constitute withdrawal from the right to be considered "human." (see my answer to final question.)
In recycling? I believe it's a good idea and should be pushed more.
In blue tigers? I never saw a purple cow... on the other hand, I have seen pictures of a green polar bear, for real. (Alge growing in its hollow guard hairs.) So one never knows.
In tattoos? I really don't understand all these "do you believe" questions about things that are. Tatoos exist. Do I believe in getting one for myself? Not into pain. Got half talked into one once, but was snapped out of it by seeing her fresh one an hour after, when it was still oozing. That cured me quick.
In plastic surgery? Again, a vague question about something that does not need my blessing or faith. What kind of surgery? For what reason? ("I want my face to look better" means something different for an aging model and a burn victim.) In general, or for me?
In love in general? Yes. And I subscribe to Jane Austen's maxim that one should fall in love whenever one has the chance. Yes, some of my choices sucked, but the general idea is nice.
In animal rights? Hrm. Their right to exist? Yes. Right to exist without pain or fear or being labelled vicious when they're defending territory/family/self? Oh yeah. Right to humane treatment at the hands of humanity? YES. (Note, this includes responsible farming and painless, quick slaughtering, yes, I do eat meat and wear leather.) Their right to vote or be considered quasi-human? The day my cats figure out how to open the canned food themselves.
In the death penalty? Yes, but not in the way we implement it now. First of all, there must be absolutely NO chance of making a mistake; not just jury decision, but all the science that can be brought to bear, nothing excluded. Second, the decision to kill should be not tied to a single narrow set of crimes but by this rule of thumb - is society and its members safe from further predation by this person? If the answer is "yes" then punish the crime and let 'em go. If the answer is "no" then whack 'em. I don't care if they're young, old, retarded, or nuts. If they're a danger and always will be, then my tax dollars have got better places to go than to maintaining them or to even make them understand why they're locked up.
An analogy - a rabid dog didn't choose to become rabid. It doesn't mean to bite. It cannot comprehend what has happened to it or the danger that it poses.
In a perfect world, one could quarantine it, medicate it, and turn it back into a beloved pet.
In this world, you shoot the poor thing and the town breathes a sigh of relief. Not because the dog "deserved" it or because it would serve as a warning for other dogs who might go rabid. But because the citizens in the town should be kept safe from that specific dog because of the specific danger it posed to them.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-02-05 10:09 pm (UTC)Re:
Date: 2004-02-06 01:37 am (UTC)Since my ticket is for an evening show on Saturday and my hostess works for a temple, I'm gonna be footloose and fancy free on Saturday.
Have any ideas?
Re:
Date: 2004-02-06 06:12 pm (UTC)Workin' it. Will get back to you.
no subject
Date: 2004-02-05 11:03 pm (UTC)Loved your answers to Do I believe too. Especially "it takes only the worst of a few members to bring out the best in others."
Re:
Date: 2004-02-06 01:38 am (UTC)Thanks!
But look at any disaster, natural or man-made. Before the dust has settled, the good people are doing what they can.